Holder with an interior space for accommodating a fluid material

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a holder ( 1 ) with an interior space for accommodating a quantity of a fluid material. The holder comprises a holder body ( 2 ) with a bottom ( 4 ) and a circumferential wall ( 6 ) that adjoins at least part of the circumference of the bottom. The holder further comprises a closing element ( 8 ), such as a sealing foil, which is arranged at a side of the holder body facing away from the bottom. The closing element and the bottom enclose an angle ( 10 ) not equal to zero with one another at least in the unopened state the holder. An outlet opening ( 5 ) can be provided in the holder.

The invention relates to a holder with an interior space for accommodating a quantity of a fluid material.

Such a holder in the form of a sachet is generally known and is especially used as a portion pack, for example for accommodating a comparatively small quantity of a fluid material such as a powder or a liquid. A comparatively small quantity within the scope of the present invention denotes a quantity of a few milliliters up to a few centiliters. Larger quantities, however, are conceivable. A fluid material within the scope of the present invention denotes a material that can flow from the holder under the influence of a force such as, for example, the force of gravity. It may be a powdery or granular material such as, for example, sugar or milk powder. Alternatively, it may be a liquid. Liquids in this connection are viscous or non-viscous liquids or similar materials such as in particular milk, coffee cream, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or glue. The fluid material may be a food or a non-food material, and the holder may be suitable for aseptic applications.

The known sachet-type holder in the form of a sugar bag or sauce bag comprises two sheets of, for example, paper or foil which are interconnected such that an interior space for accommodating a quantity of fluid material (for example sugar, or mayonnaise or ketchup) is created. An indentation may be provided in an edge of the sachet, which aids the user in opening the packaging. The user can cause the fluid material to flow from an outlet opening created by tearing.

It is a disadvantage of the known sachet that it is comparatively inconvenient to use. Opening of the sachet by tearing is very difficult, especially with the use of stronger materials. There is a major risk of spilling in particular during opening. After the user has taken the desired portion from the sachet, moreover, there is still a major risk of spilling. There will often remain some material in the sachet. This residual material, for example sugar or ketchup, can easily flow away through the outlet opening and cause a mess.

WO 87/00819 discloses a dispenser for dosing a liquid such as milk comprising two sheets of a foil material which extend at an angle to one another and which are sealed onto one another so as to form a filling space, a tubular body being inserted at the area of the adhesion surface between the two sheets, which body serves to form an opening in the dispenser.

EP 0 115 990 discloses a holder for a liquid which is manufactured from two sheets of a foil material which extend at an angle to one another. An opening member is provided adjacent a side facing away from the vertex of the angle.

The holders described according to the state of the art are comparatively complicated. As a result, these holders are comparatively difficult to manufacture, which makes the known holders expensive.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved holder which is comparatively compact and which can be manufactured in a comparatively simple, and accordingly inexpensive, manner. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a holder which offers an improved ease of handling.

To achieve these objects, the invention provides a holder as defined in claim 1. The holder according to the invention comprises a holder body with a bottom and a circumferential wall which adjoins at least a portion of the circumference of the bottom. Said circumferential wall is provided with a flanged edge at the side facing away from the bottom. The use of a holder body with such a flanged edge ensures that the holder can be of a comparatively sturdy construction. It is noted in this connection that the holders known from WO 87/00819 and EP 0 115 990 do not use a holder body with a bottom and a circumferential wall that is provided with a flanged edge. The holder according to the invention further comprises a closing element, such as a closing foil, which at least partly adhered to the flanged edge. The closing element is preferably substantially planar and extends at least in part substantially parallel to the flanged edge. In an embodiment, it is possible to deform the closing foil. The use of a holder body with a closing element in the form of, for example, a closing foil renders it possible to manufacture the holder in a comparatively simple manner. The holder body, for example taking the shape of an integrally formed cup, can be filled in a simple manner. Next the sealing foil can be sealed in a simple manner to the flanged edge of the holder body. The holder can thus be produced comparatively simply and inexpensively, whereby the object of the present invention is achieved.

According to the invention, the closing element and the bottom enclose with one another an angle not equal to zero in this arrangement, at least in an unopened state of the holder. It is noted that such an angle is not known in the prior art holders utilizing holder bodies with respective closing members provided thereon. The angle enclosed by the closing element and the bottom can be reduced in a freed position of the outlet opening, under the influence of a compression force exerted on the holder for the purpose of reducing the volume of the holder, so as to empty the latter at least in part. The arrangement at an angle renders a comparatively compact holder possible whose dimensions are comparable to those of a sachet. The arrangement at an angle provides some guidance to the fluid material, for example towards the outlet opening for improved dispensing, or alternatively away from this opening to reduce the risk of spilling. The holder according to the invention thus offers an improved ease of handling to the user.

It is advantageous that the closing element is manufactured from a material different from that of the holder body and/or has a different thickness. As a result, the holder body may be constructed comparatively sturdily whereas the closing element may be comparatively thin.

It is preferred that the outlet opening can be provided adjacent a side of the holder facing away from the bottom. The outlet opening is situated at a higher level than the bottom. After use the user will place the holder with the bottom thereof on a support surface. Any material remaining in the interior of the holder will flow towards the bottom under the influence of the force of gravity. The residual material will accordingly not be able to reach the outlet opening, which is located at a distance from the bottom. After the holder has been opened and (partly) emptied, the shape of the holder thus ensures that the risk of spilling is reduced, whereby the object of the invention is achieved.

It is furthermore preferred that the outlet opening can be provided in a side of the holder facing away from the vertex of said angle. The vertex of the angle enclosed by the closing element and the bottom of the holder body is present at a first side of the circumference of the bottom. The outlet opening for the fluid material can be provided at a second side of the circumference of the bottom located at a distance from said first side of the circumference of the bottom. The outlet opening for the fluid material can be provided preferably adjacent the side of the holder facing away from the bottom, i.e. in a portion of the holder that, viewed in a circumferential direction, is at a distance from the vertex of said angle. The outlet opening is thus located at relatively the highest point of the holder and may be provided in a simple manner above the level of the fluid material, whereby the risk of spilling during or after opening is reduced.

Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 19. Some of these embodiments and their advantages will be described in detail below.

To obtain a comparatively compact holder, it is preferable that the angle enclosed by the bottom and the closing element is an acute angle. This angle is preferably greater than 2.0 degrees. More preferably, the angle lies between 4.0 and 12 degrees, since with such an angle the amount of material required is comparatively small.

It is possible that, at a side of the holder facing away from the vertex of the angle, the circumferential wall and the bottom enclose an obtuse angle with one another. This portion is preferably identical to the second portion where the outlet opening is located. The obtuse angle renders it possible to increase the volume of the holder further without the necessity of substantially increasing the height of the holder. A compact holder with a comparatively large volume may thus be obtained. This provides a sachet-type holder, i.e. a holder whose dimensions are similar to those of a sachet and which has a comparatively large volume.

The angle between the bottom and the circumferential wall at the area of the second portion is preferably less than 170 degrees. More preferably, it lies between 110 and 160 degrees.

In a further embodiment which imparts to the holder a sachet shape, the circumferential wall and the closing element enclose an acute angle with one another at a side of the holder facing away from the vertex of the angle.

To facilitate the outflow of fluid material at least when the outflow opening is in an open position, the angle enclosed by the closing element and the bottom can be reduced in an embodiment under the influence of a compression force exerted on the holder such that the volume of the holder is reduced, whereby it is at least partly emptied. To this end, the user may press on the bottom and the closing element, for example with two fingers. The force applied by the user is an axial compression force which is directed substantially transversely to the plane defined by the bottom.

The holder preferably has an at least substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, preferably viewed in a direction substantially parallel to the plane defined by the bottom. This may be achieved, for example, with the configuration of the various angles as described above, wherein the vertex of the angle between the closing element and the bottom is preferably located adjacent the circumference, or at only a short distance from the bottom. A short distance herein means that the distance between the vertex and the circumference of the bottom (vertex-bottom distance) is smaller than the shortest distance between the first portion of the circumference and the second portion of the circumference located opposite thereto (longitudinal bottom dimension). Preferably, the vertex-bottom distance is less than ⅔ the longitudinal bottom dimension. In an embodiment, the vertex-bottom distance is approximately equal to half the longitudinal bottom dimension.

It is preferable that the bottom and/or the closing element are/is substantially elongate is shape. The volume can be further increased thereby and the holder can assume sachet-type dimensions.

The comparatively compact and sturdy construction of the holder ensures that comparatively less material can be used. This renders it possible for the bottom and/or the circumferential wall to have a thickness that lies between 0.1 and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.15 and 0.45 mm. The bottom may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material.

The thickness of the closing foil may be comparatively small, for example lying between 50 μm and 125 μm for a planar foil, and for a deformable foil, for example, 100 μm.

For the purpose of further facilitating a detaching of the closing element and thus making the outlet opening, it is preferable that a separation part connected to the closing element is provided. The circumferential wall is preferably provided with a flanged edge at the side thereof facing away from the bottom, to which edge the closing element is at least partly attached. This renders it possible to provide the closing element in a simple manner. The larger surface area also leads to a good adhesive connection between the closing element and the circumferential wall.

A recessed flow channel may be provided, preferably in the flanged edge, for guiding the outflow of the fluid material. The outlet opening may be made adjacent an end of said flow channel.

In an embodiment, the flanged edge is provided with a linear weakened zone adjacent the outlet channel. This linear weakened zone may be used by a user for opening the holder. The flanged edge in this embodiment preferably comprises the separation part at the outer side of the weakened zone. The closing element is connected to this separation part. When the separation part and the remaining portion of the holder are moved relative to one another on either side of the weakened zone, the separation part can become detached, whereupon the outlet opening is freed.

It is possible for the outlet opening to be freed already during the tearing-off of the separation part. It is alternatively possible, however, that the outlet channel is provided in its entirety at the side of the weakened zone that faces away from the separation part. The outlet opening in that case is not freed until after the closing element has been detached from the circumferential wall a little further, whereby the risk of spilling is further reduced.

To facilitate the opening of the outlet opening and to reduce the risk of spilling, it is preferred that the closing element has a region with a detachable adhesion so as to form a peel-off surface. The closing element may thus be detached from the holder body at the area of the peel-off surface. The outlet opening is freed in a simple manner thereby.

It is additionally possible that the closing element comprises a region with a permanent adhesion which is separated from the peel-off region with detachable adhesion by a boundary line. The peel-off surface is bounded by a boundary line so that the closing element can only be removed from the holder over a limited portion thereof. This renders it possible to limit the size of the outlet opening, which counteracts the risk of spilling.

According to an aspect, the invention provides a holder body for a holder as described above.

According to an aspect, the invention relates to the use of a holder and/or a holder body as described above. The use of the holder may include, for example, the manufacture of a holder.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the ensuing description of the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the holder according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of the holder according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the holder according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holder according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a holder 1 for accommodating a quantity of a fluid material. The holder comprises a holder body 2. The holder body 2 has a bottom 4 and a circumferential wall 6 which adjoins at least a portion of the circumference of the bottom. The holder is, for example, a small cup obtained by thermoforming. A fluid material is accommodated in the cup up to a certain level 3. A closing element 8 is provided at the upper side of the holder, i.e. at the side of the circumferential wall facing away from the bottom. The closing element 8 is, for example, a sealing foil. As is visible in FIG. 1, the closing element 8 and the bottom 4 enclose an angle 10 with one another. This angle is not equal to zero, and preferably it is an acute angle. In the embodiment shown the angle 10 is approximately 6 degrees, but greater or smaller angles are conceivable. The angle is preferably greater than 2 degrees and more preferably lies between 4 and 12 degrees. The angle is in any case such that, in combination with other dimensions of the holder (such as the height of the circumferential wall), a desired quantity of fluid material can be accommodated in the holder.

It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the vertex P of the angle 10 enclosed by the closing element 8 and the bottom 4 is located at a first side of the circumference of the holder. The vertex P of the angle 10 enclosed by the closing element 8 and the bottom 4 is located at a distance from the circumference of the bottom 4. The outlet opening 5 can be provided at a second side lying directly opposite to the first side of the circumference, as will be discussed in more detail further below. The result is that, provided the holder 1 is placed with its bottom 4 on a support surface, the outlet opening 5 is at a comparatively great vertical distance from the bottom 4, and the material level 3 will be below the outlet opening 5. The fluid material will accordingly tend to flow towards the interior of the holder 1 under the influence of the forces of gravity. The risk of spilling, at least after opening of the holder 1, is reduced thereby.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the circumferential wall 6 and the bottom 4 enclose an obtuse angle 11 with one another in a portion of the holder 1 located opposite to the vertex P. The angle 11 is obtuse, preferably smaller than 170 degrees, more preferably lying between 110 and 160 degrees. This angle is approximately 140 degrees in the embodiment shown. Adjacent this second portion of the holder, the circumferential wall 6 and the closing element 8 enclose an acute angle with one another. The closing element 8, the bottom 4 and the curved circumferential wall 6 form a wedge-shaped holder, at least in the side elevation according to FIG. 1. The opening 5 may be provided adjacent the highest point.

The circumferential wall 6 is preferably more sturdily constructed near the angle 11, for example in that the holder is made somewhat thicker there. It is also possible to achieve the extra strength in an alternative manner, for example by means of reinforcement ridges. The enhanced strength ensures that the fluid material can leave the outlet opening in a correct manner.

The concavely curved circumferential wall 6 shown in the left-hand part of FIG. 1 serves as a guide for the fluid material such that a return flow into the interior space of the holder is facilitated. Furthermore, the concavely curved circumferential wall 6 forms a simple means for ensuring that the holder can be reduced in volume by means of a compression force. When such a force is exerted on the bottom and the closing element (axial compression force), the angle enclosed by the closing element and the bottom can be reduced, at least if the outlet opening is free. The volume of the holder can be reduced thereby for the purpose of at least partly emptying the holder. The wedge shape provides an efficient emptying of the holder because practically all the fluid material is forced towards the outlet opening. There will be comparatively little material left in the holder.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are perspective views of the holder according to FIG. 1. Corresponding components have been given the same reference numerals for reasons of clarity. It is apparent that the holder 1 has an elongate bottom 4 of roughly rectangular shape. The circumferential wall 6 is attached to almost the entire circumference of the bottom 4. A flanged edge 9, on which the closing element 8 is placed, is provided at the upper side. At the bottom right-hand side in FIG. 2 a, a recessed channel 15 (cf. FIG. 1) is provided in the flanged edge 9. A linear weakened zone 21 is provided in the flanged edge 9 further towards the outer region thereof. A peel-off or separation part 7 is provided at a portion of the linear weakened zone 21 that is located opposite to the recessed channel 15. The closing element 8 is also connected to this separation part 7.

FIG. 2 a shows the situation wherein the holder 1 is closed. The closing element 8 covers the recessed channel 15 with the outlet opening 5. As is shown in FIG. 2 b and is also clearly visible in FIG. 4, the separation part 7 can be detached from the holder by tearing or breaking it off along the linear weakened zone 21. The closing element 8 is provided with a peel-off surface 18 that can be removed from the flanged edge 9. The outlet opening 5 can thus be created by means of a pulling force applied to the separation part 7. The peel-off surface 18 is preferably bounded by a boundary line 22 (broken line in FIG. 2 a). The peel-off surface cannot be detached beyond this line 22, so that a comparatively small outlet opening 5 can be formed.

As is clearly visible in FIG. 3, the outlet channel 15 with the outlet opening 5 is located fully at the side of the weakened zone 21 facing away from the separation part 7. It is alternatively possible for this weakened zone 21 to cross the outlet channel 15 with the outlet opening 5.

FIG. 5 finally is a perspective view from below of the holder 1. It is once more apparent that the circumferential wall 6 has a comparatively great height adjacent the recessed channel 15 with the outlet opening 5. The bottom 4 merges substantially directly into the flanged edge 9 adjacent the side of the holder opposite to the outlet opening. The closing element 8 and the bottom 4 thus enclose an acute angle 10. A substantially compact holder is obtained in this manner with dimensions comparable to those of a sachet, but with a reduced risk of spilling.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention was described above with reference to a few preferred embodiments. The invention, however, is by no means limited to these embodiments. Equivalent and/or alternative embodiments and modifications, which may or may not be apparent to the average skilled person, are conceivable. Such modifications and embodiments may very well fall within the scope of protection applied for as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A holder with an interior space for accommodating a quantity of a fluid material, said holder comprising a holder body with a bottom and a circumferential wall that adjoins at least a portion of the circumference of the bottom, wherein said circumferential wall is provided with a flanged edge at the side of the holder facing away from the bottom, wherein the holder further comprises a closing element, such as a sealing foil, which is at least partly adhered to said flanged edge, wherein the closing element is preferably substantially planar and extends at least in part parallel to the flanged edge, wherein an outlet opening can be made in the holder, and wherein the closing element and the bottom enclose an angle not equal to zero with one another at least in the unopened state of the holder, which angle between the closing element and the bottom can be reduced in a freed position of the outlet opening under the influence of a compression force exerted on the holder for the purpose of reducing the volume of the holder so as to empty the latter at least in part.
 2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein a recessed outlet channel is formed in the flanged edge such that the outlet opening can be provided adjacent an end of the outlet channel.
 3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the closing element is manufactured from a material different from that of the holder body and/or has a different thickness.
 4. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder is arranged asymmetrically around the bisector of the angled.
 5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the angle is an acute angle, said angle being preferably greater than 2.0 degrees and lying more preferably between 4.0 and 12 degrees.
 6. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential wall and the bottom extend relative to one another and/or meet one another at an obtuse angle at a side of the holder that faces away from the vertex.
 7. The holder according to claim 6, wherein the angle is smaller than 170 degrees, preferably lying between 110 and 160 degrees.
 8. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential wall and the closing element extend at an acute angle relative to one another at a side of the holder that faces away from the vertex.
 9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder has an at least substantially wedge-shaped cross-section, preferably viewed in a direction substantially parallel to the plane defined by the bottom.
 10. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the bottom and/or the closing element are/is substantially elongate in shape.
 11. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the bottom and/or the circumferential wall have/has a thickness that lies between 0.1 and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.15 and 0.45 mm.
 12. The holder according to claim 1, wherein a separation part connected to the closing element is provided for the purpose of at least partly freeing the outlet opening therewith.
 13. The holder according to claim 12, wherein a linear weakened zone is provided in the flanged edge adjacent to the outlet opening, and wherein the flanged edge comprises the separation part at the outer side of said weakened zone.
 14. The holder according to claim 13, wherein the outlet channel is provided entirely at the side of the weakened zone that faces away from the separation part.
 15. The holder according to claim 13, wherein the closing element has an area with a detachable adhesion so as to form a peel-off surface.
 16. The holder according to claim 15, wherein the closing element has an area with a permanent adhesion, which area is separated by a boundary line from the area having the detachable adhesion.
 17. The holder body for a holder according to claim
 1. 18. The use of a holder according to claim
 1. 